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Hand Painted Miniature Esther Scroll, Housed in Elegantly Fashioned Silver Case
$12,000
£9,089.95
€10,487.27
CA$16,825.41
A$18,755.87
CHF 9,871.88
MX$227,373.56
NOK 125,687.53
SEK 116,858.96
DKK 78,274.78
About the Item
Hand-Decorated Miniature Esther Scroll Housed in an Elegantly Fashioned Silver Case – Israel, Circa 1950s
From the Collection of Oscar and Regina Gruss, New York
A remarkable example of mid-20th century Judaica craftsmanship, this miniature Esther scroll is both a devotional object and a stunning piece of ornamental art. Handwritten in a minute yet highly legible script on four conjoined parchment membranes, the scroll features 39 columns of text—each comprising 11 lines—and follows the traditional “HaMelech” layout, with nearly every column headed by the word "HaMelech" (“the King”).
Executed in ink and vibrant pigments—yellow, red, green, blue, and brown—the scroll is ornately hand-decorated throughout. Each column is framed by spiraling architectural columns, complete with decorative capitals and bases, creating a grand structural rhythm across the scroll. Above the text, each column is topped by a triptych of miniature arches, nestled between pairs of floral and vegetal motifs, lending a refined elegance to the entire layout.
The scroll is encased in an exquisitely crafted silver case, cylindrical in form and richly adorned in the repoussé technique with flowing vegetal patterns. At the center of the case appears a striking image of a winged figure, holding a ring in one hand and pointing heavenward with the other—a powerful icon that may represent the Zoroastrian Faravahar, or possibly the Mesopotamian deity Ashur. This rare and culturally layered symbolism evokes the ancient Persian setting of the Book of Esther.
Set into the scrolling floral designs are small red glass beads, further enhancing the case’s opulent appeal. The rim of the case undulates gracefully, echoing the fluidity of its ornamental motifs, and is also inset with red glass stones. The top of the case is fitted with a dome-shaped blue plastic cap, surmounted by a flagpole and flag, while the base features a conical handle for comfortable use.
Scroll height: 3.1 cm
Scroll length: approx. 215 cm
Case height (incl. handle and flag): 13 cm
Condition: Overall good. Some joins between parchment sheets slightly loose.
This piece is attributed to Israel, circa 1950s, and features a silver tax mark ("13" within the Hebrew letter mem), in use from that period.
Comparable examples were auctioned at Sotheby’s (Dec 19, 2007, Lot 200; and Dec 15, 2016, Lot 108). While previously dated to the 1920s–30s, more recent scholarship supports a post-1950s attribution.
Provenance:
From the Oscar and Regina Gruss Collection, New York.
Oscar and Regina Gruss, who escaped Nazi persecution in Lvov in 1939, became devoted collectors of Jewish ceremonial art in postwar America. Their collection emphasized silver Judaica and 19th-century Jewish painting, featuring artists such as Isidor Kaufmann and Moritz Daniel Oppenheim. Many pieces were donated to The Jewish Museum in New York; others remained in the family and are now being offered to the public for the first time.
See also: Lots 133, 144, 147, 153, 154, 204, and 205 from the same collection.
- Dimensions:Height: 4.93 in (12.5 cm)Width: 1.78 in (4.5 cm)Depth: 1.38 in (3.5 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:Hide,Silver
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5281245080432
About the Seller
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